Surge suppression apparatus

Abstract

A surge suppression apparatus includes a housing, and a flexible diaphragm. The housing is divided into first and second sub-chambers by the diaphragm. The first sub-chamber is connected to a supply of liquid under pressure. The second sub-chamber contains a gas under pressure. The apparatus further comprises a gas reservoir in communication with the second sub-chamber so as, in use, to provide an effective volume which is substantially larger than that of the second sub-chamber.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A surge suppression apparatus, comprising: 
       a flexible diaphragm;  
       a housing being divided into first and second sub-chambers by said diaphragm, the first sub-chamber adapted to be connected to a liquid supply of liquid under pressure, the second sub-chamber containing a gas under pressure;  
       a gas reservoir in communication with the second sub-chamber so as, in use, to provide an effective volume of a fixed size which is substantially larger than an entire internal volume of the housing which is a total of volumes of the first and second sub-chambers; and  
       a gas supply of said gas under pressure directly connected to the second sub-chamber so that said gas may immediately enter the second sub-chamber, when necessary, without having first to pass through said gas reservoir.  
     
     
       2. The surge suppression apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second sub-chambers are of similar volume when the diaphragm is in a rest position. 
     
     
       3. The surge suppression apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an isolation valve between said gas reservoir and said second sub-chamber to permit the communication between said gas reservoir and said second sub-chamber to be broken. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gas reservoir has a limited volume. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gas reservoir is operatively in constant communication with the second sub-chamber. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gas reservoir contains said gas under pressure. 
     
     
       7. The surge suppression apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said effective volume is about five times larger than the entire internal volume of the housing. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gas reservoir is formed as a separate unit and remote from said housing, said gas reservoir communicates with said second sub-chamber by way of a pipe. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an isolation valve in said pipe between said gas reservoir and said second sub-chamber to permit the communication between said gas reservoir and said second sub-chamber to be broken. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said second sub-chamber comprises separate first and second ports, the first port is connected to said pipe to provide said communication with said gas reservoir, the second port is communicated with said gas supply. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second sub chamber is provided with a pressure regulation element for controlling the gas pressure therein in use. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said pressure regulation element is installed in the second port between said gas supply and the second sub-chamber. 
     
     
       13. A surge suppression apparatus, comprising: 
       a flexible diaphragm;  
       a housing being divided into first and second sub-chambers by said diaphragm, the first sub-chamber adapted to be connected to a liquid supply of liquid under pressure, the second sub-chamber containing a gas under pressure;  
       a gas reservoir in communication with the second sub-chamber so as, in use, to provide an effective volume which is substantially larger than an entire internal volume of the housing which is a total of volumes of the first and second sub-chambers; and  
       a gas supply of said gas under pressure directly connected to the second sub-chamber so that said gas may immediately enter the second sub-chamber, when necessary, without having first to pass through said gas reservoir;  
       wherein the second sub chamber is provided with a pressure regulation element for controlling the gas pressure therein in use.  
     
     
       14. The surge suppression apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said pressure regulation element is an active valve pressure regulation element. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said pressure regulation element is connected between said gas supply and the second sub-chamber. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said pressure regulation element includes an outlet port communicated to an outside of said housing.